Full Version: 2008 Rays thread
QUOTE (MrJimmy @ Jul 2 2008, 08:46 PM) 
QUOTE (pollardsvision @ Jul 1 2008, 08:50 AM)
QUOTE (gump @ Jul 1 2008, 08:37 AM)
OK...so the first half of the marathon is over...and we're cruising along.
CC, Upton, and Pena could easily improve offensively. Longoria is getting better at the plate weekly. Aki had a rough start. I'm sure Hinske/Gross/Aybar could hit worse though.
Kaz missed a month. Shields has been flaky. Garza flakier. Sonny has nowhere to go but down though. And obviously the bullpen can't perform any better. But we could see the addition of a lefty who can throw 99.
Am I crazy to think we will be better in the 2nd half, barring injury?
CC, Upton, and Pena could easily improve offensively. Longoria is getting better at the plate weekly. Aki had a rough start. I'm sure Hinske/Gross/Aybar could hit worse though.
Kaz missed a month. Shields has been flaky. Garza flakier. Sonny has nowhere to go but down though. And obviously the bullpen can't perform any better. But we could see the addition of a lefty who can throw 99.
Am I crazy to think we will be better in the 2nd half, barring injury?
i think it's possible that the rays could perform even better in the 2nd half, but to me, the bullpen is the key to this whole thing and it feels like they are pitching a little above their heads. if the bullpen starts to lose it a little, that'll have a big effect in the W-L columns (especially for a team that seems to be getting by on solid pitching, great defense, and timely hitting).
i think the offense and pitching will be a wash. the role players will cool down, but CC and upton have to heat up. there's enough guys contributing that the runs will get scored. the SPing should be about the same. kaz and shields will ensure that there are no prolonged losing streaks. garza/sonny/e-jax keep us in most games with some gems and some clunkers mixed in.
with all that said, i think it's safe to say that we really have no idea what this team is truly capable of at this point.
As you might imagine, this was the topic of discussion on Boston sports radio today. Also, probably not a surprise that most ("experts" included), felt that TB would not be able to keep this up. If I can generalize a bit, the feeling was that the SP was strong, and short of injury, should minimally keep TB in the WC chase for the whole season. However:
Questions about the BP, especially with Percival down and the ripple effect that might have.
Questions about the lineup, particularly RF and a true power hitting stud a la Ortiz, Manny, Pujols, etc.
Questions about ownership's willingness/ability to compete with Sox/Yanks/Cubs/Angels for the deadline mega deal.
And lastly, how will TB perform when the heat gets turned up in August and September? They are certainly loose and flying high now, but how will that translate when everything gets tighter? They will be going against teams that have lots of veterans who have "been there" before.
Personally, while I don't disagree with some of the potential flaws for TB, I also don't think there is another team in the division that will be able to apply so much pressure as to run away with the DC. Too many flaws and shaky health on every team.
-BP has been one of the best in the majors this year. Until otherwise notified, not worried there.
-Lineup is league-average, or slightly-above. I think guys like CC, Pena and Upton will tick up a bit, and Longoria is slamming the ball. Again, not particularly worried there.
-I don't think management has any problems going for a huge trade, but they won't re-sign a guy like Sabathia. Still, that doesn't affect this year's race if they do decide to go get him for a half-season splurge. They certainly have the prospects and the in-season budget to do so.
-Your fourth point is the only one that concerns me. That's legit. But...I just think they're flat-out better than the Yanks. Sox, that's up for debate.
:dancingbanana:
20 @#$@$ games over .500!!
So who makes the AS team on Sunday? No one will get voted in. So does Kaz get added to the mid-game staff, CC or Upton for late-game flexibility, Dioner or Longoria as a backup...or do they end up screwing the business side (again) and taking JP Howell and no one else?
FYI...the Rays are now in the top 10 in sales for Champs...and are the #1 selling team in the last 6 weeks (over the Cubs)!
Fun team
I think they'll get two. Longoria for sure, and one of Navarro/Kaz.
Nice job Rays. If you can keep the Yankees out of the playoffs, you'll always have a place in my heart.
If you can keep the Yankees out of the playoffs, you'll always have a place in my heart.QUOTE (Raider Nation @ Jul 2 2008, 11:15 PM)
Very impressive.
Gotta figure they didn't bring up Brignac to sit, so it'll be good to see how he does for a couple of weeks with the big club.
If he rides the bench for Zobrist for more than a game, they should have just kept the kid in the minors.
If he rides the bench for Zobrist for more than a game, they should have just kept the kid in the minors.
What other potential SS do the Rays have, other than Bartlett this year and Beckham? Is Brignac being showcased for an upcoming trade?
QUOTE
Price is a combined 6-0 with a 1.74 ERA, 49 Ks, 13 BB and a .218 batting-average against in his first eight professional starts in his month-plus career. He is the best pitching prospect, since ... well, pick your pitching phenom of choice: Felix Hernandez, Dwight Gooden, Sandy Koufax. Own him in all leagues you can afford to wait a few weeks on a potential superstar Fantasy pitcher. You don't think he can arrive that quickly? The Rays thought he could have arrived late last year after drafting him No. 1 overall in June. Then they thought he could compete for a rotation spot this spring, but a tender elbow and zero pro experience gave them caution. Lock it up: Price can arrive by Aug. 1.
QUOTE (Sea Bass @ Jul 3 2008, 05:02 PM)
QUOTE (Raider Nation @ Jul 2 2008, 11:15 PM)
Very impressive.
Lovin' the Rays, especially since my team blows bull c ock.
Welcome one, welcome all.
QUOTE (Capella @ Jul 3 2008, 06:22 PM)
Welcome one, welcome all.
look honey, he's all growns up!
enjoy it while it lasts, the cart turns back into a pumpkin at the all star break.
QUOTE (Statorama @ Jul 3 2008, 08:12 PM)
Gotta figure they didn't bring up Brignac to sit, so it'll be good to see how he does for a couple of weeks with the big club.
If he rides the bench for Zobrist for more than a game, they should have just kept the kid in the minors.
If he rides the bench for Zobrist for more than a game, they should have just kept the kid in the minors.
Zobrist has a sore shoulder so they called both up just in case. I think Brignac plays as much as he can handle because the Rays (and potential trade partners) already know what Zobrist can do.
QUOTE (tommyGunZ @ Jul 3 2008, 11:16 PM)
QUOTE (Capella @ Jul 3 2008, 06:22 PM)
Welcome one, welcome all.
look honey, he's all growns up!
enjoy it while it lasts, the cart turns back into a pumpkin at the all star break.
QUOTE (tommyGunZ @ Jul 4 2008, 12:16 AM)
QUOTE (Capella @ Jul 3 2008, 06:22 PM)
Welcome one, welcome all.
look honey, he's all growns up!
enjoy it while it lasts, the cart turns back into a pumpkin at the all star break.
Yea, sure.
Btw, you owe me a sound-card.
The guy I know who interns in the Rays front office told me that Price could be up by the end of July of mid-August at the latest if he continues to pitch well.
-chris
-chris
QUOTE (wadegarrett @ Jul 3 2008, 09:11 PM)
QUOTE (Sea Bass @ Jul 3 2008, 05:02 PM)
QUOTE (Raider Nation @ Jul 2 2008, 11:15 PM)
Very impressive.
Lovin' the Rays, especially since my team blows bull c ock.
Do you think if we ask real nice that they'll let us Indian fans tag along?
QUOTE (Tom Servo @ Jul 4 2008, 10:41 AM)
QUOTE (wadegarrett @ Jul 3 2008, 09:11 PM)
QUOTE (Sea Bass @ Jul 3 2008, 05:02 PM)
QUOTE (Raider Nation @ Jul 2 2008, 11:15 PM)
Very impressive.
Lovin' the Rays, especially since my team blows bull c ock.
Do you think if we ask real nice that they'll let us Indian fans tag along?
Jump on the bandwagon, there is plenty of room.
QUOTE (DMXATF23 @ Jul 4 2008, 10:34 AM)
The guy I know who interns in the Rays front office told me that Price could be up by the end of July of mid-August at the latest if he continues to pitch well.
-chris
-chris
I can also tell you that everything is worked out with the MLBPA...locked and loaded for jersey production...he's coming soon.
QUOTE (Capella @ Jul 3 2008, 09:22 PM)
Welcome one, welcome all.
Except Yankee fans...
Brignac starting tonight, hitting 9th. Should be interesting, at least.
QUOTE (Capella @ Jul 4 2008, 04:18 PM)
Brignac starting tonight, hitting 9th. Should be interesting, at least.
Didn't see the game, but 0-3 with 2 Ks doesn't look good.
Nice to see CC and Pena getting back into the swing of things though!
Fox Sports picks Kazmir, Upton, Navarro, and Longoria for All-Star team...
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/8311346...rs,-close-calls
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/8311346...rs,-close-calls
"The worst team we'll have in the next 5 years."
Nick Barnese is dominating low-A. He's a guy that's going to be flying up the prospect sheets soon.
QUOTE (Norseman @ Jul 4 2008, 01:01 PM)
QUOTE (Tom Servo @ Jul 4 2008, 10:41 AM)
QUOTE (wadegarrett @ Jul 3 2008, 09:11 PM)
QUOTE (Sea Bass @ Jul 3 2008, 05:02 PM)
QUOTE (Raider Nation @ Jul 2 2008, 11:15 PM)
Very impressive.
Lovin' the Rays, especially since my team blows bull c ock.
Do you think if we ask real nice that they'll let us Indian fans tag along?
Jump on the bandwagon, there is plenty of room.
Thanks, especially since I have nothing to root for.
This is unbelievable. Is this really happening? 
Another great outing by Price. 7 IP, 1 ER.
He's going to make a hell of a lefty specialist here in a few weeks.
He's going to make a hell of a lefty specialist here in a few weeks.
QUOTE (Capella @ Jul 6 2008, 05:36 PM)
Another great outing by Price. 7 IP, 1 ER.
He's going to make a hell of a lefty specialist here in a few weeks.
He's going to make a hell of a lefty specialist here in a few weeks.
Can't wait to see him pitch. Where does he rank amongst SP prospects the last 10 years or so? Behind Felix, about = to Prior?
I have him signed for 3 yrs at $1 and am salivating.
Knightro could answer that better than I. I would say ahead of Felix and on par with pre-dead Prior.
Where's my sound-card gunz? They still looking at .500 by the all-star break?
Where's my sound-card gunz? They still looking at .500 by the all-star break?
QUOTE (Capella @ Jul 7 2008, 08:47 AM)
Knightro could answer that better than I. I would say ahead of Felix and on par with pre-dead Prior.
Where's my sound-card gunz? They still looking at .500 by the all-star break?
Where's my sound-card gunz? They still looking at .500 by the all-star break?
Cap..I don't know about that. It's a little tough to compare b/c of the ages but Felix was/is considered a total freak at a very young age while Price is older. Having said that Price is going to be great.
QUOTE (Capella @ Jul 7 2008, 08:47 AM)
Knightro could answer that better than I. I would say ahead of Felix and on par with pre-dead Prior.
Where's my sound-card gunz? They still looking at .500 by the all-star break?
Where's my sound-card gunz? They still looking at .500 by the all-star break?
Felix is still the best guy to come up in our time. He came up as a 19 year old - which would be comparable to Price coming up as a college sophomore.
Felix is this generation's Dwight Gooden - and he's not as good as Gooden when he came up. I don't know if we'll ever see another guy like Gooden come up and make an immediate impact at such a young age again.
Yea maybe I'm being blinded by Felix's relative mediocrity before this season. I do remember the hype on him.
Either way, DP should be awesome. What's his cumulative ERA now?
Either way, DP should be awesome. What's his cumulative ERA now?
QUOTE (Capella @ Jul 7 2008, 10:48 AM)
Yea maybe I'm being blinded by Felix's relative mediocrity before this season. I do remember the hype on him.
Either way, DP should be awesome. What's his cumulative ERA now?
Either way, DP should be awesome. What's his cumulative ERA now?
Well statistically he was ML average which is pretty good for a 20 or 21 year old, but its more a combo of age, mechanics, pitches, and velocity. The only similar guys recently are Porcello and the 16 year old kind the A's just signed. There's a line of demarcation between these super young studs and the guys that come out of college though it may only be an issue that they'll have longer tops since they should be in the majors sooner and have use of their 21-3 years.
Prior to getting hurt last year Felix was probably the best Pitcher in the majors.
-chris
-chris
Longoria leads the AL in the Final Vote after today:
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20...8&fext=.jsp
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20...8&fext=.jsp
QUOTE (gump @ Jul 7 2008, 04:08 PM)
Longoria leads the AL in the Final Vote after today:
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20...8&fext=.jsp
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20...8&fext=.jsp
i voted dye and wright a couple times.
QUOTE (gump @ Jul 7 2008, 05:08 PM)
Longoria leads the AL in the Final Vote after today:
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20...8&fext=.jsp
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20...8&fext=.jsp
I got 25 votes here at home and 25 more at work and I intend for all of them to go to EL.
:shamelesssuckingup:
QUOTE (gump @ Jul 7 2008, 04:08 PM)
Longoria leads the AL in the Final Vote after today:
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20...8&fext=.jsp
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20...8&fext=.jsp
Boston Dirt Dogs is pushing Sox fans to vote for Longoria as well.... partially because he's the most deserving... and partially to screw over Giambi.
QUOTE ([icon] @ Jul 8 2008, 10:00 AM)
QUOTE (gump @ Jul 7 2008, 04:08 PM)
Longoria leads the AL in the Final Vote after today:
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20...8&fext=.jsp
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20...8&fext=.jsp
Boston Dirt Dogs is pushing Sox fans to vote for Longoria as well.... partially because he's the most deserving... and partially to screw over Giambi.
I'm supposed to hate Boston, but not after this. Beautiful
QUOTE ([icon] @ Jul 8 2008, 08:00 AM)
QUOTE (gump @ Jul 7 2008, 04:08 PM)
Longoria leads the AL in the Final Vote after today:
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20...8&fext=.jsp
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20...8&fext=.jsp
Boston Dirt Dogs is pushing Sox fans to vote for Longoria as well.... partially because he's the most deserving... and partially to screw over Giambi.
Francona might select Giambi to replace Big Papi anyway.
boy, that's a rocket attached to upton's right shoulder
any ideas about what it might take to get jason bay? or actually nady, assuming he'd be cheaper.
tonight's game really highlighted the need for a nice right handed stick. that was just ugly.
tonight's game really highlighted the need for a nice right handed stick. that was just ugly.
QUOTE (pollardsvision @ Jul 8 2008, 09:30 PM)
any ideas about what it might take to get jason bay?
tonight's game really highlighted the need for a nice right handed stick. that was just ugly.
tonight's game really highlighted the need for a nice right handed stick. that was just ugly.
you sure? you might be able to get mike cameron alot cheaper. watching bay in the nl central, he seems like he's almost the same thing as cameron. more upside though, but then again, im drunk.
Upton is really struggling offensively this year. I didnt realize. But he has a friggin cannon. I didnt think he had any shot to get Jeter at home. wow
QUOTE (Capella @ Jul 1 2008, 02:56 PM)
QUOTE (shadyridr @ Jul 1 2008, 03:47 PM)
QUOTE ([icon] @ Jul 1 2008, 03:24 PM)
QUOTE (Capella @ Jul 1 2008, 02:10 PM)
Yes?
Just thought you'd handle it with a bit more class when the Rays finally got it together. C'est la vie. I guess every team needs their TGunz.
Regardless... hats off to the Rays... honestly I'd love to see them take the division and win it all if the Sox can't this year (which I don't think they can). I honestly think the WC comes out of the east this year and I think it's Boston/Tampa in some combination making it into the playoffs.
When has capella handled anything with class?Enjoying the Sidney Ponson era?
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